Instant Impact

A look at impact freshman at Texas colleges this fall.True freshmen play a larger role in college football than ever before. The promise of early playing time is one of the top recruiting tools in the country, and the non P5 schools in the state of Texas will rely on a few players from the 2015 class for depth and immediate impact this season.UTSA – TJ KingUTSA lost starters Robert Singletary and Cody Rogers to graduation, and this spring Codie Brooks exited the program after injuries derailed his 2014 season. The Roadrunners have talent at the position, but most of it is unproven. King may have been the best high school product that UTSA signed in the 2015 class and has a chance to crack the two-deep early in the season. Early-enrollee Clayton Woods has a chance to contribute along the offensive line.UTEP – Kalon BeverlyThe Miners need help in the defensive backfield this season. Beverly, out of Edna Karr High School in New Orleans – has the best shot of making an immediate impact. He is a 6-foot-1, 171-pound cornerback who is rangy and fast. He has the ideal frame to contribute right away. Quarterback signee Kavika Johnson has the potential to compete for the starting spot for a team with no evident starter.SMU – Bryce WildsNew head coach Chad Morris needs to fix the Mustang offense, and that starts in the trenches. The 6-foot-6, 308-pound offensive tackle out of Brazosport High School has the size, strength and demeanor to compete for the starting spot at left tackle as a true freshman. Wide receivers Xavier Castille, Alex Honey and Kevin Thomas could work into the rotation at wide receiver.Texas State – Bo AndersonDefensive tackle Javier Edwards was a three-star recruit out of high school who had offers from a few major programs. Academics have been a question mark, but if he qualifies and makes it on campus he’ll be an instant contributor. Bo Anderson, however, has no question marks surrounding him and plays a need position for the Bobcats. Texas State lost its two best linebackers and Anderson, from Coppell, has all the tools needed to help a Texas State defense that has holes to fill on the second level. Wide receiver Justin Gamble out of Stony Point High School is another name to watch for the Bobcats.North Texas – Creighton BarrBarr had the advantage of enrolling early. The center from Marcus High School in Flower Mound worked his way to second on the depth chart by the time the spring ended. The 6-foot-3, 250-pound offensive lineman will be heavier by the time the season starts and is one snap away from becoming the anchor of the Mean Green offensive line. Defensive back Ashton Preston is another true freshman to watch.Houston – Terry MarkTom Herman is killing it on the recruiting trail in the 2016 class, but the former Ohio State offensive coordinator will need a few of the signees from the 2015 class to arrive on campus ready to contribute. My favorite is former Lufkin wide receiver Terry Mark. His size and speed may allow him to become an immediate deep threat for the Cougar offense. Tight end Kobe Idumwonyi could also earn snaps if he is strong enough to handle blocking duties. Defensively, Copperas Cove product Tyrell Thompson could help provide depth at defensive end.Rice – Zach AbercrumbiaThe Owls aren’t known for needing immediate depth from true freshmen, but Zach Abercrumbia will arrive on campus with the potential to eventually end up an all-conference talent. The 6-foot-3, 255-pound defensive lineman from Dallas Skyline will probably play defensive tackle, but he has the ability to play defensive end early in his career. Rice lost a few key contributors from the defensive line and Abercrumbia could provide immediate depth. Mike Craven is the publisher of BirdsUp.com and a TexasFootball.com contributor.